“I know I should be doing more with LinkedIn.”
This is such a common sentiment among the nonprofit consultants we coach. We all know LinkedIn can be an incredible tool for building an audience and attracting clients. But we get stuck at the HOW.
What matters most on LinkedIn? What are potential consulting clients looking for? How do I even find them? How much time should I spend on LinkedIn?
Here are four data-driven tips to help you streamline and maximize your use of LinkedIn for your nonprofit consulting business:
1) Complete Your LinkedIn Profile as a Nonprofit Consultant
According to LinkedIn’s own data, pages with complete information get 30% more weekly views. This is even more valuable considering that at least 50% of LinkedIn profiles are incomplete—and even more are outdated, poorly written, or simply not clear and compelling.
If you take the time to fill out all available sections, including crafting a compelling about section that highlights your expertise and services, you’ll already be ahead of the competition. This is especially key when you are just starting your consulting business or looking to grow.
2) Experiment with LinkedIn Engagement Tactics
LinkedIn posts with images get twice as many comments as text-only posts, and videos get 5x more engagement. Asking relevant questions, tagging people you know, and being honest and authentic also help increase visibility and engagement for your content.
3) Pay Attention to When You Post Nonprofit Consulting Content
For maximum reach and engagement, the best days to post on LinkedIn are Tuesdays through Thursdays, and the best times are generally the start of the workday and at 12noon. This makes sense: LinkedIn is ideal for morning and lunchtime reading during the workweek. The worst days for businesses to post are Saturdays and Sundays.
4) Comment on Other Consulting and Nonprofit LinkedIn Posts
Commenting on other people’s posts is a great way to increase your professional visibility, even if you aren’t posting a lot. It’s like networking at a conference: you’re listening, engaging, and showing up—and with consistency, people will get to know who you are and appreciate your thoughtful insights (aka comments).
Plus, because LinkedIn’s algorithm likes engagement and comments, right after you make a post, take at least 10-15 minutes to read and comment on other people’s posts. It will help more people see your own content.
